London has been rocked by the recent conviction of a man involved in a drive-by shooting that left a nine-year-old girl with life-altering injuries. Javon Riley, 33, of Tottenham, was found guilty at the Old Bailey of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to the child and attempting to murder three men in a brutal gangland attack last year. The ruling offers a measure of justice for the innocent victim, whose life was irrevocably changed by the violence, yet the individual who pulled the trigger remains at large, keeping this a critical London news story.
The Dalston Shooting: An Innocent Caught in Crossfire
The shocking incident unfolded on May 29, 2024, at approximately 9:20 PM, outside the bustling Evin Turkish restaurant on Kingsland High Street in Dalston, East London. The young girl was inside the restaurant, enjoying ice cream with her family, when a gunman on a stolen Ducati Monster motorbike fired six shots. The first bullet, intended for rival gang members seated outside, tragically struck the child in the head. Three men – Mustafa Kiziltan (35), Kenan Aydogdu (45), and Nasser Ali (44) – who were the primary targets, also sustained gunshot wounds to their thigh, leg, and backbone respectively. The immediate aftermath saw scenes of terror as diners scrambled for cover, and the severity of the child’s injury quickly made it a top story across the UK.
Javon Riley’s Role and Conviction
Javon Riley, while not the gunman, played a pivotal role in the meticulously planned assassination attempt. During the three-week trial at the Old Bailey, it was revealed that Riley conducted extensive reconnaissance of the area in the days leading up to the attack, even sipping pina coladas at a bar opposite the restaurant to study the surroundings. On the night of the shooting, he drove a stolen Nissan Juke past the restaurant multiple times to confirm the presence of the intended targets. Following the hail of bullets, Riley was instrumental in helping the unidentified gunman evade capture and dispose of the firearm. Despite denying the charges, the jury convicted Riley, who is now awaiting sentencing on September 12. His conviction is a significant development in this trending case.
A Deep-Rooted Gangland Feud
The Dalston shooting is understood to be the latest escalation in a long-running and bloody feud between two notorious Turkish organised crime groups: the Hackney Turks (also known as the Bombacilars) and the Tottenham Turks. Both gangs are deeply entrenched in the UK’s heroin import trade, and their rivalry has been linked to over 20 murders across London and Europe in the past two decades. This bitter conflict, which reportedly intensified following a nightclub fight in 2009, continues to plague communities. Evidence presented at trial, including covert police recordings, connected Riley to individuals associated with the Tottenham Turks, although he maintained he was not a direct member.
A Child’s Life Forever Altered
The impact of the indiscriminate violence on the nine-year-old girl has been devastating. She spent three harrowing months in hospital and has been left with permanent injuries, including a titanium plate in her skull and a bullet still lodged in her brain. Her parents, who hail from Gothuruth in Ernakulam district, Kerala, and now reside in Birmingham, have shared their profound anguish. They spoke of their daughter’s ongoing physical and cognitive difficulties, including slower growth on one side, and the emotional and mental scars that are not visible. Her mother eloquently stated, “In a single moment, the future we had imagined for our daughter was torn away… This was not just an accident – even if our daughter was not the intended target, those responsible were still attempting to take lives. It is brutal and inhumane.” Her personal story has become a poignant cover story for the true cost of gang violence.
The Hunt for the Gunman Continues
While Riley’s conviction marks a crucial step, the investigation into the Dalston shooting is far from over. The gunman, described as having links to south London, remains at large, and both the weapon and motorbike used in the attack have yet to be recovered. The Metropolitan Police are actively appealing for information and have offered a reward of up to £15,000 for details leading to the identification, arrest, and prosecution of the individual who fired the shots. Authorities stress the importance of public cooperation, particularly given the sophisticated nature of the criminal organisations involved. This pursuit of the triggerman ensures this tragic event remains a viral news topic, underscoring the ongoing challenge of combating organised crime and protecting innocent lives in London.
